Changes to agenda:

• ASB Fundraisers - Added to consent agenda

The PHS ASB student representative provided an update on recent and upcoming ASB activities, including:

• Planning for Homecoming, with a “Masquerade” theme.
• Building school spirit through hallway decorating, Minton Mania, spirit days, and a school assembly.
• Recognized the PHS volleyball team for being ranked No. 1 in the state.
• PHS Hosted the WSU Marching Band at the previous week’s football game.
• Hosting an elementary Cheer Camp, with mini cheerleaders scheduled to perform at Friday’s football game.

• Director Horn reported that the Policy Committee met and continues work on several policies. At Sunnyside Elementary, staff received the Model PLC at Work School award, with a presentation by a Solution Tree representative and performances by PHS Band and Cheer students. Sunnyside also held its book fair and is preparing for STEAM Night. At PHS, Special Education Teacher Sam Fleener shared enthusiasm for the new curriculum and its benefits for staff and students.
• Director Bayoumi reported that the DEIB Task Force met on September 22 to establish formal roles and discuss plans for the upcoming year. The task force selected a chair and scheduled its next meeting for October 6. She also provided an overview of the General Assembly, which included 70 proposals and position changes, and outlined next steps in the process.
• Director Nelson provided a Finance Committee update, noting discussions regarding enrollment and budget balancing.
• Director Waananen Jones reported that the District remains on track to meet the 10% reserve target established in Board policy, despite ongoing financial uncertainty. In her JES update, she shared information about the fall fundraiser, which aims to fund a climbing wall in the gym. She also highlighted other projects supported by previous successful fundraisers and noted the ongoing need for volunteers.
• Director Carter reported that the KES PTA held a meeting and is conducting its membership drive while reviewing fundraising opportunities and ways for families to get involved. He also shared enthusiasm for progress on the playground slides and greenhouse. Regarding the upcoming PHS Booster Auction, he noted that the Board typically contributes a basket for the silent auction and planning will need to begin.

Superintendent Maxwell provided a facilities update, noting that work is underway on the electrical foundation installation in the historic side of the District Office. He also shared that WSSDA Direct featured an article highlighting the District’s solar panel project.

Superintendent Maxwell discussed additional signage being installed throughout the District to remind community members that tracks are closed to the public during the school day and to address concerns about dog waste on school fields. He emphasized that dog waste poses a safety hazard to students and noted that continued issues could result in public access restrictions. The District Office preschool area is now closed to dogs.

Report: Highly Capable Program

Presenter: Joni Stevens, Instructional Coach

Joni provided an overview of the Highly Capable Program, including state requirements effective June 2026 that emphasize equitable identification, universal screening, and multiple pathways for qualification and noted that the new requirements align with the District’s current practices. The presentation covered referral and identification data, the CogAT screening process, classroom strategies focused on depth and complexity, and efforts to expand access through staff training, family outreach, and strengthened K–2 identification.

In response to Board questions, Joni explained that classroom strategies incorporate specialist subjects, such as music and movement, to provide students with creative ways to demonstrate learning. While the program does not have a dedicated curriculum, staff have access to curricular resources, and the District hopes to incorporate learning extensions into the PLC process. She also discussed opportunities to strengthen support for secondary students by connecting families with extracurricular activities and community organizations.

• Attendance: The District is working with individual schools to develop attendance plans in support of the Board’s attendance goal. Assistant Superintendent Mulvey and Courtney Hodge met with ParentSquare to explore Attendance Plus, a tool that offers automated, translated notifications to support family engagement while reducing administrative workload.
• WSU Partnership: District leadership have met with various WSU departments to explore opportunities to strengthen partnerships between the District and the university.
• SEL K–12 Outreach: Superintendent Maxwell and Assistant Superintendent Mulvey met with SEL K–12 Outreach to refine existing partnerships and explore opportunities for future collaboration.

No speakers.

The following vouchers as audited and certified by the auditing officer, as required by RCW 42.24.080, and those expense reimbursement claims certified, as required by RCW 42.24.090, are approved for payment. 

Fund: ASB 

Wire Transfer Payments 202600051 through 202600051, totaling $1,004.15

Check Numbers 26738410 through 26738411, totaling $1,096.85

Check Numbers 26738409 through 26738409, totaling $1,094.17

Check Numbers 26738397 through 26738403, totaling $19,065.65

Fund: Capital Projects

Wire Transfer Payments 202600051 through 202600051, totaling $49.25

Check Numbers 26738412 through 26738412, totaling $63,503.20

Fund: General

Wire Transfer Payments 202600051 through 202600051, totaling $589.46

Check Numbers 26738404 through 26738408, totaling $70,995.90

AP ACH Numbers 9000000081 through 9000000081, totaling $185.00

AP ACH Numbers 9000000082 through 9000000086, totaling $792,203.01

Check Numbers 26738413 through 26738414, totaling $300.00

Check Numbers 26738415 through 26738454, totaling $119,208.74

Presenter: Ryan Mulvey, Assistant Superintendent

This item was presented at the last board meeting and there have been no questions received since it was last presented. WSSDA revised the policy to remove redundant language. 

Presenter: Juston Pollestad, Executive Director of Operations

This item was presented at the last board meeting and there have been no questions received since it was last presented. There was a change to the resolution to include a mini-van since it was last presented. 

Presenter: Dani Lynas, Finance Director

Policy 5401 Sick Leave has been revised by WSSDA and was highlighted in the July Policy and Legal News. WSSDA has revised the model policy to clarify which of the statutory structures districts should use for their incentive programs and the notification requirements for program enrollment. This aligns with the district's current sick leave policies.

Presenter: Arron Carter, Board President

The Board discussed proposed Policy 1825, Addressing School Director Violations, which is based on the WSSDA model policy and establishes a process for addressing director conduct concerns. The policy is intended to clarify ethical standards and provide a fair, neutral process for responding to potential violations. 

The Board noted overlap with the revised Policy 1101F2 and would need to determine whether to move forward with Policy 1825 and remove any redundant provisions from Policy 1101F2. Director Waananen Jones commented that the policy would strengthen adherence to Board policies and provide a good-faith mechanism for addressing concerns. She noted some reservations about grouping policy and legal compliance with professional judgment but was comfortable with the language as written.

Presenter: Arron Carter, Board President

The Board discussed proposed revisions to Policy 1101F2, Board Communication Protocols, to clarify expectations for Board director communication, including social media use and ethical conduct. The revised draft, prepared by Director Bayoumi, reflects continued discussion from the annual retreat. The Policy Committee reviewed two versions and chose to begin with a more limited revision, with the option to consider a more extensive revision if desired.

Following the Board’s discussion of Policy 1825, Director Waananen Jones expressed a preference for keeping the policies separate and removing the Board violation section from Policy 1101F2. Director Nelson questioned whether ethical conduct language belonged in the communication protocol and raised concerns about the term “professional” in reference to Board directors. Director Bayoumi provided context for the proposed language. The Board discussed whether ethics provisions should be addressed separately or referenced through existing WSSDA policies on Board director ethics.

The Board also reviewed proposed language addressing social media use. Members discussed clarifying that directors are not required to use personal social media but are expected to follow communication expectations when they choose to use it. The Board further discussed revising the reference to “the professional standards of conduct” to address concerns about implying a separate, established standard.

• September

Current Enrollment

For 2026-2027 School Year 

Budgeted FTE: 2586

Current FTE: 2555.34 

Revisions: 

• SECTION ADDED: Academic Progress for Alternative Learning and Running Start Students